As the two parties look for a possible deal on a massive infrastructure bill, some lawmakers are seeking to add defense items to whatever might emerge from the talks, Politico reported.
“Infrastructure is important to national security,” Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill) said. “And if we can’t surge our manufacturing to meet our needs in a time of crisis, there’s national security implications to that.”
Bustos and Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) co-chair the House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant and Industrial Facilities Caucus. They are circulating a draft letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking for long-delayed facility upgrades in an infrastructure package.
Other lawmakers want to include shipyard modernization as an infrastructure item.
“I think members whose districts are impacted see this as a real opportunity, so it’s not just the shipyards,” said Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.). “I’ve spoken to a number of them, and my sense is they’re probably going to make some requests.”
Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), who chairs the Armed Services subcommittee overseeing shipyards, told Politico he supports fixing the shipyards but that it should be part of the defense budget.
Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Rodriguez
